NEW!!! Tough and tricky exponents and roots questions

Hello sir,
It was not mentioned in the question stem whether x, y and z are integers. In this question, if x, y and z were non-integers, wouldn't the procedure be different? Would you please explain?

Thanks! :D

10. If \(x\) and \(y\) are non-negative integers and \(x+y>0\) is \((x+y)^{xy}\) an even integer?
(1) \(2^{x-y}=\sqrt[(x+y)]{16}\)
(2) \(2^x+3^y=\sqrt[(x+y)]{25}\)

(1) \(2^{x-y}=\sqrt[(x+y)]{16}\) --> \(2^{x-y}=16^{\frac{1}{x+y}}=2^{\frac{4}{x+y}}\) --> equate the powers: \(x-y=\frac{4}{x+y}\) --> \((x-y)(x+y)=4\).

Since both \(x\) and \(y\) are integers (and \(x+y>0\)) then \(x-y=2\) and \(x+y=2\) --> \(x=2\) and \(y=0\) --> \((x+y)^{xy}=2^0=1=odd\), so the answer to the question is No. Sufficient. (Note that \(x-y=1\) and \(x+y=4\) --> \(x=2.5\) and \(y=1.5\) is not a valid scenario (solution) as both unknowns must be integers)

(2) \(2^x+3^y=\sqrt[(x+y)]{25}\) --> obviously \(\sqrt[(x+y)]{25}\) must be an integer (since \(2^x+3^y=integer\)) and as \(x+y=integer\) then the only solution is \(\sqrt[(x+y)]{25}=\sqrt[2]{25}=5\) --> \(x+y=2\). So, \(2^x+3^y=5\) --> two scenarios are possible:
A. \(x=2\) and \(y=0\) (notice that \(x+y=2\) holds true) --> \(2^x+3^y=2^2+3^0=5\), and in this case: \((x+y)^{xy}=2^0=1=odd\);
B. \(x=1\) and \(y=1\) (notice that \(x+y=2\) holds true) --> \(2^x+3^y=2^1+3^1=5\), and in this case: \((x+y)^{xy}=2^1=2=even\).

Two different answers. Not sufficient.

Answer: A.

if y = 0 then statement 1 become 2^x = 2^2x , i.e. x = 2x , i.e. x = 0 not 2 , what am i doing wrong here if you plz??

4. If \(xyz\neq{0}\) is \((x^{-4})*(\sqrt[3]{y})*(z^{-2})<0\)?
(1) \(\sqrt[5]{y}>\sqrt[4]{x^2}\)
(2) \(y^3>\frac{1}{z{^4}}\)

\(xyz\neq{0}\) means that neither of unknown is equal to zero. Next, \((x^{-4})*(\sqrt[3]{y})*(z^{-2})=\frac{\sqrt[3]{y}}{x^4*z^2}\), so the question becomes: is \(\frac{\sqrt[3]{y}}{x^4*z^2}<0\)? Since \(x^4\) and \(z^2\) are positive numbers then the question boils down whether \(\sqrt[3]{y}<0\), which is the same as whether \(y<0\) (recall that odd roots have the same sign as the base of the root, for example: \(\sqrt[3]{125} =5\) and \(\sqrt[3]{-64} =-4\)).

(1) \(\sqrt[5]{y}>\sqrt[4]{x^2}\) --> as even root from positive number (\(x^2\) in our case) is positive then \(\sqrt[5]{y}>\sqrt[4]{x^2}>0\), (or which is the same \(y>0\)). Therefore answer to the original question is NO. Sufficient.

(2) \(y^3>\frac{1}{z{^4}}\) --> the same here as \(\frac{1}{z{^4}}>0\) then \(y^3>\frac{1}{z{^4}}>0\), (or which is the same \(y>0\)). Therefore answer to the original question is NO. Sufficient.

Answer: D.

I could not understand the highlighted part. I also don't understand when to consider both positive and negative solutions and when to consider only positive solution when dealing with roots. Please explain.

4. If \(xyz\neq{0}\) is \((x^{-4})*(\sqrt[3]{y})*(z^{-2})<0\)?
(1) \(\sqrt[5]{y}>\sqrt[4]{x^2}\)
(2) \(y^3>\frac{1}{z{^4}}\)

\(xyz\neq{0}\) means that neither of unknown is equal to zero. Next, \((x^{-4})*(\sqrt[3]{y})*(z^{-2})=\frac{\sqrt[3]{y}}{x^4*z^2}\), so the question becomes: is \(\frac{\sqrt[3]{y}}{x^4*z^2}<0\)? Since \(x^4\) and \(z^2\) are positive numbers then the question boils down whether \(\sqrt[3]{y}<0\), which is the same as whether \(y<0\) (recall that odd roots have the same sign as the base of the root, for example: \(\sqrt[3]{125} =5\) and \(\sqrt[3]{-64} =-4\)).

(1) \(\sqrt[5]{y}>\sqrt[4]{x^2}\) --> as even root from positive number (\(x^2\) in our case) is positive then \(\sqrt[5]{y}>\sqrt[4]{x^2}>0\), (or which is the same \(y>0\)). Therefore answer to the original question is NO. Sufficient.

(2) \(y^3>\frac{1}{z{^4}}\) --> the same here as \(\frac{1}{z{^4}}>0\) then \(y^3>\frac{1}{z{^4}}>0\), (or which is the same \(y>0\)). Therefore answer to the original question is NO. Sufficient.

Answer: D.

Hi Bunuel,

Can you kindly help me understand why 4th root of x^2 > 0 and not 4th root of x^2 = 4th root of |x| similar to square of x^2 = square root of |x| as shown in the step 2 of your solution to the question @ https://gmatclub.com/forum/what-is-x-2- ... 99157.html?

Thank you

10. If \(x\) and \(y\) are non-negative integers and \(x+y>0\) is \((x+y)^{xy}\) an even integer?
(1) \(2^{x-y}=\sqrt[(x+y)]{16}\)
(2) \(2^x+3^y=\sqrt[(x+y)]{25}\)

(1) \(2^{x-y}=\sqrt[(x+y)]{16}\) --> \(2^{x-y}=16^{\frac{1}{x+y}}=2^{\frac{4}{x+y}}\) --> equate the powers: \(x-y=\frac{4}{x+y}\) --> \((x-y)(x+y)=4\).

Since both \(x\) and \(y\) are integers (and \(x+y>0\)) then \(x-y=2\) and \(x+y=2\) --> \(x=2\) and \(y=0\) --> \((x+y)^{xy}=2^0=1=odd\), so the answer to the question is No. Sufficient. (Note that \(x-y=1\) and \(x+y=4\) --> \(x=2.5\) and \(y=1.5\) is not a valid scenario (solution) as both unknowns must be integers)

(2) \(2^x+3^y=\sqrt[(x+y)]{25}\) --> obviously \(\sqrt[(x+y)]{25}\) must be an integer (since \(2^x+3^y=integer\)) and as \(x+y=integer\) then the only solution is \(\sqrt[(x+y)]{25}=\sqrt[2]{25}=5\) --> \(x+y=2\). So, \(2^x+3^y=5\) --> two scenarios are possible:
A. \(x=2\) and \(y=0\) (notice that \(x+y=2\) holds true) --> \(2^x+3^y=2^2+3^0=5\), and in this case: \((x+y)^{xy}=2^0=1=odd\);
B. \(x=1\) and \(y=1\) (notice that \(x+y=2\) holds true) --> \(2^x+3^y=2^1+3^1=5\), and in this case: \((x+y)^{xy}=2^1=2=even\).

Two different answers. Not sufficient.

Answer: A.

Hi Bunuel

I don’t understand why in statement 2, x+y cannot equal 1. X and Y are non-negatives, so we shouldn’t exclude the possibility of X and Y being 0 and 1 or 1 and 0 respectively. Please clarify. Thanks


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4. If \(xyz\neq{0}\) is \((x^{-4})*(\sqrt[3]{y})*(z^{-2})<0\)?
(1) \(\sqrt[5]{y}>\sqrt[4]{x^2}\)
(2) \(y^3>\frac{1}{z{^4}}\)

\(xyz\neq{0}\) means that neither of unknown is equal to zero. Next, \((x^{-4})*(\sqrt[3]{y})*(z^{-2})=\frac{\sqrt[3]{y}}{x^4*z^2}\), so the question becomes: is \(\frac{\sqrt[3]{y}}{x^4*z^2}<0\)? Since \(x^4\) and \(z^2\) are positive numbers then the question boils down whether \(\sqrt[3]{y}<0\), which is the same as whether \(y<0\) (recall that odd roots have the same sign as the base of the root, for example: \(\sqrt[3]{125} =5\) and \(\sqrt[3]{-64} =-4\)).

(1) \(\sqrt[5]{y}>\sqrt[4]{x^2}\) --> as even root from positive number (\(x^2\) in our case) is positive then \(\sqrt[5]{y}>\sqrt[4]{x^2}>0\), (or which is the same \(y>0\)). Therefore answer to the original question is NO. Sufficient.

(2) \(y^3>\frac{1}{z{^4}}\) --> the same here as \(\frac{1}{z{^4}}>0\) then \(y^3>\frac{1}{z{^4}}>0\), (or which is the same \(y>0\)). Therefore answer to the original question is NO. Sufficient.

Answer: D.

7. If \(x\) is a positive integer is \(\sqrt{x}\) an integer?
(1) \(\sqrt{7*x}\) is an integer
(2) \(\sqrt{9*x}\) is not an integer

Must know for the GMAT: if \(x\) is a positive integer then \(\sqrt{x}\) is either a positive integer itself or an irrational number. (It can not be some reduced fraction eg 7/3 or 1/2)

Also note that the question basically asks whether \(x\) is a perfect square.

(1) \(\sqrt{7*x}\) is an integer --> \(x\) can not be a perfect square because if it is, for example if \(x=n^2\) for some positive integer \(n\) then \(\sqrt{7x}=\sqrt{7n^2}=n\sqrt{7}\neq{integer}\). Sufficient.

(2) \(\sqrt{9*x}\) is not an integer --> \(\sqrt{9*x}=3*\sqrt{x}\neq{integer}\) --> \(\sqrt{x}\neq{integer}\). Sufficient.


Answer: D.

7. If \(x\) is a positive integer is \(\sqrt{x}\) an integer?
(1) \(\sqrt{7*x}\) is an integer
(2) \(\sqrt{9*x}\) is not an integer

Must know for the GMAT: if \(x\) is a positive integer then \(\sqrt{x}\) is either a positive integer itself or an irrational number. (It can not be some reduced fraction eg 7/3 or 1/2)

Also note that the question basically asks whether \(x\) is a perfect square.

(1) \(\sqrt{7*x}\) is an integer --> \(x\) can not be a perfect square because if it is, for example if \(x=n^2\) for some positive integer \(n\) then \(\sqrt{7x}=\sqrt{7n^2}=n\sqrt{7}\neq{integer}\). Sufficient.

(2) \(\sqrt{9*x}\) is not an integer --> \(\sqrt{9*x}=3*\sqrt{x}\neq{integer}\) --> \(\sqrt{x}\neq{integer}\). Sufficient.

Answer: D.

10. If \(x\) and \(y\) are non-negative integers and \(x+y>0\) is \((x+y)^{xy}\) an even integer?
(1) \(2^{x-y}=\sqrt[(x+y)]{16}\)
(2) \(2^x+3^y=\sqrt[(x+y)]{25}\)

(1) \(2^{x-y}=\sqrt[(x+y)]{16}\) --> \(2^{x-y}=16^{\frac{1}{x+y}}=2^{\frac{4}{x+y}}\) --> equate the powers: \(x-y=\frac{4}{x+y}\) --> \((x-y)(x+y)=4\).

Since both \(x\) and \(y\) are integers (and \(x+y>0\)) then \(x-y=2\) and \(x+y=2\) --> \(x=2\) and \(y=0\) --> \((x+y)^{xy}=2^0=1=odd\), so the answer to the question is No. Sufficient. (Note that \(x-y=1\) and \(x+y=4\) --> \(x=2.5\) and \(y=1.5\) is not a valid scenario (solution) as both unknowns must be integers)

(2) \(2^x+3^y=\sqrt[(x+y)]{25}\) --> obviously \(\sqrt[(x+y)]{25}\) must be an integer (since \(2^x+3^y=integer\)) and as \(x+y=integer\) then the only solution is \(\sqrt[(x+y)]{25}=\sqrt[2]{25}=5\) --> \(x+y=2\). So, \(2^x+3^y=5\) --> two scenarios are possible:
A. \(x=2\) and \(y=0\) (notice that \(x+y=2\) holds true) --> \(2^x+3^y=2^2+3^0=5\), and in this case: \((x+y)^{xy}=2^0=1=odd\);

is it correct to take both x-y and x+y as 2? Is there any such integer is existing?
B. \(x=1\) and \(y=1\) (notice that \(x+y=2\) holds true) --> \(2^x+3^y=2^1+3^1=5\), and in this case: \((x+y)^{xy}=2^1=2=even\).

Two different answers. Not sufficient.

Answer: A.

how is it possible that even root has only positive value? Square root is even, but we are taking both positive and negative value. Then why not so for other even root?
please someone help me to understand it

hi Bunuel, how D?

if x=7 then sqrt of 49 perfect square, but sqrt x is not. If we take 28, 63 etc for x then both sqrt of 7x and sqrt of x is an integer. So I is not sufficient...
I'm I right?

in statement 1 we get (x-y)(x+y)=4 but we can't take non integer value. So is it right to take both x-y and x+y as 2? is there any such number is existing where both sum and difference of two numbers as the same? Is it not valid to take statement 1 as insufficient?

3. If \(x>y>0\) then what is the value of \(\frac{\sqrt{2x}+\sqrt{2y}}{x-y}\)?
(1) \(x+y=4+2\sqrt{xy}\)
(2) \(x-y=9\)

\(\frac{\sqrt{2x}+\sqrt{2y}}{x-y}\) --> factor out \(\sqrt{2}\) from the nominator and apply \(a^2-b^2=(a-b)(a+b)\) to the expression in the denominator: \(\frac{\sqrt{2}(\sqrt{x}+\sqrt{y})}{(\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{y})(\sqrt{x}+\sqrt{y})}=\frac{\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{y}}\). So we should find the value of \(\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{y}\).

(1) \(x+y=4+2\sqrt{xy}\) --> \(x-2\sqrt{xy}+y=4\) --> \((\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{y})^2=4\) --> \(\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{y}=2\) (note that since \(x-y>0\) then the second solution \(\sqrt{x}-\sqrt{y}=-2\) is not valid). Sufficient.

(2) \(x-y=9\). Not sufficient.

Answer: A.